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Do you plan to be on the boat this summer for extended periods in remote locations? Do you want to be more prepared for when the stove goes on the fritz or the freezer fails? Or maybe, you have a cabin, or live in a part of Washington or Canada that experiences power outages during…

Arriving in port unleashes a whirlwind: fueling, oil changes, boat maintenance and repair, grocery shopping, laundry, guests arriving and departing. I also spent some one-on-one time with flotilla participants helping to plan their return trips. Watching the flotilla boats depart was bittersweet: sad to see new friends go, but excited for them to continue their…

We made the short run from Taku Harbor to Juneau. Calm water, gray skies…kinda boring, actually. Soon after leaving Taku Harbor my phone buzzed to life: about 300 emails, a thousand Facebook messages, a bunch of voicemails and text messages. Hmm….not sure about being reconnected. Our arrival in Juneau marked the end of the flotilla…

Today is another glacier day, this time, Dawes Glacier, at the head of Endicott Arm. Once we see the glacier, we’ll head back to Tracy Arm Cove to spend the night. High-water slack at the Ford’s Terror Rapids is sometime between 12:30 pm and 1:30 p.m. Then it’s about 16 nautical miles to Dawes…

Today is another glacier day, this time, Dawes Glacier, at the head of Endicott Arm. Once we see the glacier, we’ll head back to Tracy Arm Cove to spend the night. High-water slack at the Ford’s Terror Rapids is sometime between 12:30 pm and 1:30 p.m. Then it’s about 16 nautical miles to Dawes…

Another sunny day! When I talk with people about cruising in Southeast Alaska, the weather is always a big concern. This is a rainy place—Ketchikan gets more rain in its driest month than Seattle gets in its wettest month. So far, though, we’ve only had a couple of rainy days. Waggoner Cruising Guide Alaska…

This morning was clear, warm even. Before leaving Cannery Cove, I took the drone up briefly to grab some pictures. For those of us who aren’t fishermen, I think the biggest reasons to come to Alaska are bears, whales, and glaciers. Today we got all three. Waggoner Cruising Guide Alaska Flotilla Day 32 Follow Sam’s Flotilla…

I’d originally planned on spending a night in Thomas Bay, the next in Portage Bay, and then Pybus Bay. Since we spent two nights in Thomas Bay, though, I opted to skip Portage Bay and head right for Pybus Bay.

Waggoner Cruising Guide Alaska Flotilla Day 31

Not much to report today. The morning dawned overcast, with clouds hanging close to the water. It wasn’t raining, though, so eight of us set out on the Cascade Creek hike. This is a great hike. The trail climbs to nearly 1400 feet over about two and a half miles, then drops down to Falls…

Catching up on the blog from Juneau, after eight days without connectivity. Spoiler: these eight days were some of the best I can remember in SE Alaska. Superb weather, lots of bears and whales, more glaciers… Cruising in Southeast Alaska is best north of Petersburg. The scenery becomes more dramatic—think glaciers and big mountains—and the…

Another perfect day on the water! Today we took a side trip from Petersburg to LeConte Glacier and then back to Petersburg. It was a long day, but so worth it! For starters, the weather was perfect. Sunny, warm, no wind. The views were magnificent. Although we couldn’t get all the way to the face…

The trip from St. John Harbor to Petersburg is short but complex, requiring boats to transit Wrangell Narrows. Wrangell Narrows is about 22 miles long. It’s winding, shallow, and narrow most of its length. Currents run to several knots. Five ranges and about 60 buoys and markers indicate the correct route. Waggoner Cruising Guide Alaska…

Short, easy day. We spent the morning in Wrangell, at Shakes Island. Shakes Island is the site of Chief Shakes Tribal House, a replica Tlingit longhouse. Most of the locals were at Celebration in Juneau, but Brittany was still in town. She explained the history of her tribe, the history of the house, and answered our…

In Friday Harbor, the craftsman house at 155 Nichols Street used to be a residential home. Now, it’s San Juan Island Cheese, a cheese and wine shop and cafe. This converted house is both inviting and hip and the perfect place to enjoy your favorite cheeses―or new ones―paired with wines. Owners Richard and Sheri Daly.…

On June 28 it felt good to get underway. Compared to other summers my cruising plans were scheduled much later, and I did not lead a flotilla this year, which would have put me out on the water sooner. In mid-June, my daughter graduated (who was class president at Anacortes High School) and that brought…

While traveling up and down the Inside Passage, one often sees the red and white light stations along the B.C. coast. I have often wondered what life is like as a lightkeeper. I sometimes picture a couple of grizzly coasties, sitting by a pot-bellied stove with the ever-going coffee pot, standing by for the…

“In our generation we went to the movies once a week and back then everything was John Wayne,” said Captain Wayne. John Wayne’s power yacht is getting a second wind thanks to Captain Wayne and Guy Vallee. Under their care it’s been fixed up, beautified and made into a living museum outfitted with the Duke’s…

The Swan Hotel is a prominent feature near Point Hudson Marina. It’s three stories high, painted forest green with white balconies, a widow’s walk, and an outside staircase. Staring at it against a blue sky dotted with clouds one can almost picture its former life as a Coast Guard facility, and the men who dedicated their…

We have received early reports from many of our correspondents and owners for the resorts and marinas up and down the coast. Things change, owners change and the services change. We’ve gathered some pre-season updates to help you get on your way for summer cruising. Also, while you are out cruising, let us know what you…